Vortex-i Automated torque tester

Overview

The Vortex-i and Vortex-xt automated torque testers have been helping professionals around the world to objectively assess the quality of their components and assembled products for more than 20 years.

They have become the accepted testers in industries as diverse as food and drink, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and automotive.

They are ideally suited to a packaging manufacturer wishing to assess the bridge torque of a tamper-evident closure right through to an automotive controls designer looking to perfect the ‘feel’ of a rotary switch.

The motorised Vortex-i is controlled by software run on a computer and the Vortex-xt uses a touchscreen console to host the software. They deliver both consistency and reliability by controlling the key test parameters of torque, angle and speed. This means that the inherent variability found when using a manual torque tester is almost fully removed.

The automated Vortex-i and Vortex-xt testing systems each comprise four key elements:

Test frame

The Vortex-i and Vortex-xt feature a sturdy, twin-column, motorised test frame which is designed to apply torque up to a capacity of 10 N.m.

Specimens up to 440mm tall and 280mm wide can easily be tested in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

It requires a PC or touchscreen console to run it's software and has a small footprint making it the ideal choice as a bench-top device.

Torque sensors

The ITC range of interchangeable torque sensors is specially adapted to the Vortex-i and -xt. They plug into the frame and their calibration characteristics are immediately recognised by the tester without any input from the operator.

Five different sensors are available with nominal capacities ranging from 0.3 N.m up to 10 N.m. This ensures that you have the optimum selection to meet all your torque testing needs. Measurement accuracy is an outstanding ±0.5% of the sensor capacity.

Each sensor is delivered as standard with its own calibration certificate traceable to national standards.

Software

Emperor software is at the heart of the Vortex-i and -xt test systems. It runs on any Windows computer and controls the motor of the test frame whilst collecting data at an impressive 1,000 Hz from the ITC torque sensor and angle encoder of the frame.

Step-by-step test routines can be quickly and easily created according to the exact requirements of your testing procedures. The most commonly used test routines can then be simply selected by the operator using their 'favourites' button or from a standard drop-down list.

By plotting measurement data in real-time on a graph the operator can identify exactly how the test specimen is performing. Preset calculations are used to analyse the data to determine whether the specimen has met the pass/fail criteria of the quality-control specifications.

At the end of the test, the powerful reporting module within Emperor™ allows the operator to issue a test report as a PDF. Additionally, the data can be exported to Excel or to the network for further analysis by a Statistical Process Control (SPC) package.

Gripping fixtures

Holding your test specimen in place without it slipping is essential to obtaining repeatable results. Mecmesin has designed a range of torque grips to hold a variety of components. They include chucks and mandrels to hold plastic and metal closures, fixing tables to secure bottles and containers plus many more. 

The varying nature of specimen sizes and shapes often makes it necessary to design and produce a special grip. Mecmesin's team of design engineers can work with you to develop the best grip for your specimen. These are then produced on our 3D printers to create lightweight, precision fixtures or, for higher load applications, they are made from metal at our machine-shop.

Product datasheets

Product Brochures

Vortex-i PC-driven (PDF)

Vortex-xt Console-driven (PDF)